What Does Exodus 33:14 Mean in the King James?
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew says “my face” where the KJV says “my presence”: God’s nearness goes with you as personal attention, and brings you into rest.
THE MEANING
God’s face goes with you; you are accompanied by a presence that is turned toward you. God brings you into rest as that presence goes along, so rest is given within the journey, not only at its end.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that you must finish the journey or reach safety before rest can be given.
THE ROOT
פָּנַי
pānay
GROWS FROM
פנה
p-n-h
To turn or face toward.
The Hebrew word here is literally “my face,” a word that can also mean presence. The image keeps nearness personal: God’s face goes with you, carrying the sense of attention turned toward you.
ALSO GROWS
pānîm: Face; presence.
פָּנִים
This is the form behind “my face” in the verse, where English gives “my presence.”
pānâ: To turn or face toward.
פָּנָה
This root adds the image of presence as an orientation toward you, not merely a place where God is.
וַהֲנִחֹתִי
wa-hăniḥōtî
GROWS FROM
נוח
n-w-ḥ
To settle or come to rest; in the causative form, to bring someone into rest.
The verb pictures God settling you into rest. Alongside the sense of a rest given, its causative form carries the image of being brought to a place of settledness.
ALSO GROWS
hēnîaḥ: Caused to rest; set down or settled.
הֵנִיחַ
This causative form shows how the verse presents rest as something God brings about for you.
menūḥāh: Rest or a resting place.
מְנוּחָה
This related noun gives rest a sense of settled place, not just a brief pause.
THE PATTERN
God’s nearness accompanies the journey and becomes rest for the one being led.
And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.THE THREAD
And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.The same word for “face” or “presence” appears again. The reply treats that accompanying presence as essential to the journey, showing that the rest promised in verse 14 is bound to God’s nearness.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us